Willie Nelson, a pioneer of the "Outlaw Country" movement and legendary songwriter, is 92 years old. He's getting up there, but his age isn't slowing him down just yet. This year, Nelson released his 77th solo studio album, headlined a summer tour from May to September, and got nominated for two 2026 Grammys. His secret? According to Nelson, it's actually the music itself that keeps him going. No wonder he has so many albums!
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"Singing for an hour is good for you," the country music legend told the New Yorker. Even his daughter, Amy, agreed when talking about his dedication to music. "I think it's literally keeping him alive."
Funnily enough, even though Willie might have just been talking about the mental benefits of making music, the National Library of Medicine says that singing is actually great for lung health. "For people with chronic respiratory disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in particular," apparently, vocal exercises can be a great way to support breath control.
In the past, Willie Nelson has mentioned having "really screwed up" lungs, even getting sick with emphysema and pneumonia "four or five times" in a short period.
"Singing is one of the best exercises you can do. Your lungs are your biggest muscle, and the more you use them, the healthier you can get," Nelson shared. For Nelson, although unintentional, it seems his calling is literally what's keeping him alive.
How Willie Nelson Stays Active at 92
Besides singing, Willie Nelson has been doing a few other things in his old age to stay active and in shape. "I'm in pretty good shape, physically for 92," he shared. "I still try to do a little workout every day just to pay for the day. That's what I call it: You have to do something to pay for the day. So I'll get up and do a little walking or jogging... just enough to keep the heart going."
Back in June, Nelson had a health scare that caused him to cancel eight shows at his Outlaw Music Festival. He shared with fans that "per doctor's orders, [he had] been advised to rest for the next four days." However, that didn't stop him from releasing his 76th studio album later that year.
According to him, it's not physical aging that keeps him up at night. "Well, I'm 91 plus, so, you know, I'm not worried about it," he revealed in an interview last year. "I don't feel bad. I don't hurt anywhere." He joked, saying,"I don't have any reason to worry about dying. I feel like I'm in pretty good shape physically. Mentally? That's another story."
Photo By: F. Carter Smith/Bloomberg via Getty Images
